Must see - London, Paris, Rome, Venice

[mikeob]

Hello all,

As some of you know, I am planning a short 2 week backpacking trip to Europe next summer. I was wondering if those with experience have any recomindations for 'must see' places in the following countries:

1. London - approx. 3 days
2. Paris - approx. 4 days
3. Rome - approx. 4 days
4. Venice - approx. 3 days

Really, the trip is around 16 days including weekends and such, so I took in account a few travel days and jet lag recovery.

Any input would be great!

Thanks in advance!

[gougeAway]

Are you looking for sites in the cities or cities in the 'countries'? You say "in the following countries" but list cities.

You may want some more time in London - I've never been but 3 days seems like not quite enough time.

If you're looking for sites I'd probably only list the usual suspects for Paris and Rome. Only things that might not be on your radar would be the Sacre Couer, Musee D'Orsay, and the Catacombes (which was especially neat) in Paris. Not much I can think of to recommend in Rome that you wouldn't be going to see anyhow.

Have fun!

[mikeob]

Sorry! Yes, I mean cities.

I would like to know if even the obvious places like the Eifle Tower, Colesium, etc. are even worth going to.

Any input on what you would recomend for the amount of tiem I plan on being in each city would be great.

Thanks!

[gougeAway]

I'd say the obvious places are worth seeing. I don't think I was really dissapointed in anything. Go up the Eifel Tower, but be prepared for it to be cool. Notre Dame cathedral is nice - although any church you see after St. Peter's in the Vatican will probably be a letdown, so it's good that you're seeing that towards the end. (if you go to the Vatican, that is - which you should). Louvre is huge - so plan on spending a lot of time there. Or be okay with only seeing a few things.

I can't think of any cities to add - it looks like your schedule is pretty packed as it is. If you can add days to London or Paris, I would - otherwise I think you're okay. If you had a couple of extra days you could always check out Normandy or something like that in France (if you're a WW2 buff). Or possibly Florence?

[me]

culturally/historically, Rome is the most important place on this list, the most important in Europe. was there 5 nights in `04, and left too much unseen.

also, London rates more time, especially since you'll also be recovering from jet lag there. <you can basically throw the 1st day away>

three days in Venice is probably good. but, i've never been to Paris so i can't advise there.

with just 2 weeks, i'd suggest more focus. perhaps an Italy trip, with a layover in London?

- d

mikeob said:

1. London - approx. 3 days
2. Paris - approx. 4 days
3. Rome - approx. 4 days
4. Venice - approx. 3 days

[mikeob]

David - we are both young and really want to see the most out of our trip. We actually cut it down to those four cities, we are real active people and dont mind being on the go. We plan on using airfare from Paris to Italy to save some time and we will have an open jaw flight that will fly out of Rome so we don't have to waste time flying back to London.

Also, like I said... the trip really is around 16-17 days, if we use our weekends right.

Thanks for the help!

[Jules80]

i love london! the london eye is the only thing i've never done cause i can't quite believe it'll be worth the 10 quid! i've flown in over london on a clear day so it can't get much better than that! st-paul's is cool. but after vatican... doesn't quite compare. but cool none the less. and you can climb up its dome for a view of the city. tower of london is a must... so cool! museum of london is very cool, too. cabinet war rooms are a must see.

paris... sacre coeur and montmartre are awesome. i love wandering the latin quarter, too. musee de cluny is cool. eiffel tower is definately worth it. althought i was less impressed with the view from the very top then the view from the middle platform (there are 3) at the top you're almost too high and therefore you sort of see less... (if you get what i mean). the louvre is also cool and if you're short on time they museum does give 2 hour tours of the "greatest hits" venus de milo, mona lisa, etc. my friend did it and found it quite good.

Rome... the only thing i found dissapointing was the spanish steps... didn't get what all the fuss was about. the cappuccin crypt is awesome and not in most guide books. although a little macabre its definately worth seeing.

Venice... 3 days is fine but 2 is also good and i would advise putting another day towards rome instead. in venice, just wander and get lost.... eventually find a campo and find it on map and you'll find your way home. i rapidly came to the conclusion that finding a campo on a map was easier than finding a street! but venice is beautiful and just fun to wander around

Jules

[me]

doesn't everyone here "want to see the most out of our trip?"

most here seem to really like Italy. it's the favorite country. my aim was to help.

mikeob said:

David - we are both young and really want to see the most out of our trip.

[me]

another must see in Paris: Riots. it'll be hard to avoid them.

anyone in Paris right now would be advised to get out by Monday. there's another general strike planned for Tuesday.

[Meghan]

You might want to cut one of the days from Venice and spend it in London. I might be a little biased since I'm studying in London, and have never been to Venice, but one of my friends visited for 3 days and didn't feel like he had quite enough time. It all depends on what you want to do though, and if you plan on seeing anything outside of London. For example, if you want to see Stonehenge, it will probably take at least half a day - same with Windsor Castle (as both are outside of London).
oh, and the Tower of London is pretty cool... probably my favorite historical thing in London, and the crown jewels were pretty impressive, but at over $20 USD to get in, it's kind of expensive.
as for top things to do: everyone who's visited me loves the changing of the guard (at Buckingham Palace) and from there you can easily walk through St. James's Park to Whitehall, past Tony Blair's house, and to Big Ben/Parliament and Westminster Abbey. Trafalgar Square is also nearby and pretty popular, and you can pop into the National Gallery (all the museums are free!!). Tate Modern is pretty famous, so stop by if you like modern art. Hyde Park is worth walking through, esp. if it's a nice day. For the nightlife, definitly head to Leicester Sq... clubbing in London is expensive, but worth it for at least one of your nights, if you're into dancing or you could check out a play... the lastminute website has some good deals.
Good luck planning you're trip, it sounds amazing! Let me know if I can help at all with the London part

[calgaryjen]

I did this exact trip pretty much in 2002. Same cities, same amount of time.

Paris (4 days + one day versaille)
must see: Catacombs (really cool and kinda freaky), Sacre Coeur (wicked view), Notre Dame (beautiful church), Louvre (but not THAt into museums, so after about 4-5 hours I wanted out), Eiffel Tower (you just have to), versaille
meh: pantheon, arc de triomphe

Rome (4 days - not enough)
must see: colosseum (my favorite), the old city (right outside the colosseum), trevi foutain, spanish steps at night with some beer and crazy locals, sistine chapel & vatican
meh: pantheon, catacombs, baths of caracalla, piazza navona

Venice (2 days - too long, I got kind of bored)
must see: st. marks square, water taxi to murano island, just wander the streets and bridges, and instead of the gondola just get a day pass for the water taxis
meh: things kind of looked hte same after awhile and yes, I got bored after about 1 day but that could just be me

London (3 days - needed more time)
must see: leicester square (and go to wagamana-good noodle place very trendy and cheap), changing of the guard, st.james park (nice greens), shopping near picadilly, madame tussard's wax museum (we had a blast in here!), definatly take day trip to stonhenge/bath, and did i mention shopping?
meh: london eye, tower of london, st.paul's cathedral

and you are from VEGAS? That is definately the happiest place on earth. I go every year!

-jen-

[patrickt]

I was in London a few weeks ago, and I had a blast...

Yes, the Tower of London is expensive... but I'd reccomend it... I'd also suggest to get on the guided tour... (last about an hour with a 'Beefeater'... and will give you a better look into the Towers...

Also... I'd suggest visiting Camden... you can take the tube there. It's known for its massive flea market... You can find a lot of fun and stylish stuff there for very little cash... The street food vendors have great and tasty treats.

There's also a wine bar called 'Gordon's Wine Bar'.... 47 Villers St. Take the Circle Line to Embankment... This place is AWESOME... It's like stepping into the era of Jeckyl n Hyde... A+++

Enjoy your trip!!

[Jules80]

yes venice... water taxi day pass is a good bet. if you REALLY want to go on a gondola there are few public gondolas that cross the grand canal and cost 50 cents. that was enough for me and definatley in price range!

jules